Mustard Beetles. 
273 
employ. There is no decided reply as to the use of manures 
containing potash. 
The results, in brief, of the Norfolk experiments point to 
the profitable employment on certain soils, for both barley and 
root crops, of manures comprising potash in their composition, 
and show also that on some soils the application of potash can 
become a sine qua non. 
The results of the Essex experiments point to the superiority 
of nitrate of soda to sulphate of ammonia in a dry season, as a 
manure for mangolds, and that it should be sown as a top- 
dressing, while sulphate of ammonia is better sown with the 
seed. Further, that even where 12 tons of dung have been used 
per acre, soluble nitrogenous manures to the extent of as much 
as 2 cwt. per acre of nitrate of soda can be profitably used on 
such soil, together with superphosphate. 
Lastly, the Yorkshire experiments are specially valuable, by 
reason of the clear answer they give to the vexed question of 
dissolved versus undissolved phosphates. 
IX. — Mustard Beetles. (Abstract of the information for- 
warded in reply to the circulars issued by the Royal Agri- 
cultural Society.) By Miss Eleanor A. Ormeeod, Con- 
sulting Entomologist of the Royal Agricultural Society. 
The replies received during the past season in answer to the 
circulars issued by the Royal Agricultural Society regarding 
the attack of the Mustard Beetle, and the means found service- 
able in lessening the amount of its ravages, have elicited a good 
deal of useful practical information from some of our leading 
mustard-growers ; and, besides the special points under investi- 
gation, have clearly shown that the mischief to the mustard 
plant, usually ascribed in a general way to the so-called mustard 
beetle, is by no means entirely caused by this one kind. Just 
as the mustard beetle extends its ravages at pleasure to crops 
and weeds of the nature of cabbage, charlock, and the like, 
so do various kinds of beetles which attack these and other 
plants of the cabbage tribe, prey more or less seriously on 
mustard ; and the knowledge of the kinds, which are thus in- 
jurious, brings the subject of insect injury to mustard much 
more within the regular bounds of ordinary agricultural treat- 
ment. 
The beetle, which is especially known as the mustard beetle, 
VOL. XXIII. — S. S. T 
